El Zocalo

40-10 83 Street, Queens, NY 11373

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Apr 18, 2026

Score

Medium Risk NYC Grade: A

Public records show four inspections at El Zocalo stretching back to 2023. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 18, 2026. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.

Across the inspection history, “food contact surface not properly washed” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.

The city-wide average sits at 75, which El Zocalo's 67 doesn't quite reach. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 18, 2026

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

06D

Personal cleanliness is inadequate. outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. effective hair restraint not worn where required. jewelry worn on hands or arms. fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.

06A

Flavored tobacco products sold, offered for sale

15-21

Sign prohibiting smoking or using electronic cigarettes not conspicuously posted.

15-27

Oct 4, 2024

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

4 critical violations. 2 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

06D

Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

06E

Food protection certificate (fpc) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

04A

Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (frsa) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. frsa flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, phorid flies and fruit flies.

04N

Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

08A

Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

10F

Apr 4, 2023

Pre-permit (Operational) / Re-inspection

3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 4 violations

Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

06E

Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of tcs foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding.

04J

Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.

06C

10F

Mar 22, 2023

Smoke-Free Air Act / Initial Inspection

5 critical violations. 2 minor violations.

View 7 violations

After cooking or removal from hot holding, tcs food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal temperature is reduced from 140 °f to 70 °f or less within 2 hours, and from 70 °f to 41 °f or less within 4 additional hours.

02H

06C

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

06D

Cold tcs food item held above 41 °f; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °f; intact raw eggs held above 45 °f; or reduced oxygen packaged (rop) tcs foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

02G

04J

Accurate thermometer not provided or properly located in refrigerated, cold storage or hot holding equipment

10E

Flavored tobacco products sold, offered for sale

15-21

Frequently Asked Questions

When was El Zocalo last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at El Zocalo on file is from Apr 18, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at El Zocalo?

Across the inspection record, “food contact surface not properly washed” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at El Zocalo.

How does El Zocalo compare to other restaurants in Queens?

El Zocalo most recently scored 67 out of 100, which is lower than the Queens average of 75.

Has El Zocalo's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at El Zocalo have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at El Zocalo means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is El Zocalo inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, El Zocalo is inspected roughly once per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Juquila

40-12 83 Street

Score: 70 — Medium Risk

83-27 Roosevelt Avenue

Score: 64 — Medium Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Queens → Mexican / Latin restaurants in NYC → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Queens